Memorial to tragic village bobby Joe Carroll

Bellingham-based PC Carroll, 48, died on April 13, 2006, when prisoner Steven Graham - whom he was transporting in a police car from Hexham to Newcastle - suddenly pulled on the handbrake and caused the vehicle to crash on the A69 near Corbridge.

Graham, an Army sergeant who had been arrested following a drink-fuelled domestic disturbance, later admitted manslaughter and was jailed for five and a half years.

Yesterday an inscribed stone memorial to PC Carroll, provided by Mr Winner's Police Memorial Trust charity, was officially unveiled near the spot where the fatal accident happened.

In an emotional ceremony attended by about 150 relatives, friends, Northumbria Police colleagues and community representatives, tributes were paid to PC Carroll by his widow Caroline, Mr Winner and Chief Constable Mike Craik.

The monument was unveiled by the officer's elderly mother, Hilda, and bouquets of flowers were laid next to it as piper Sgt Alan Clement played a lament.

Mr Winner said: "This is to remember that the police are not always to be criticised. They are out there dying for us. You cannot do more for the nation than die for it, and that is why it was just so wrong that no one publicly thanked police officers like this before I thought of it.

"Joe Carroll was at what I call the sharp end of the rule of law. It all means nothing without men and women on the front line, on the streets, keeping law and order.

"Like other services which fight and die for us, the police also die for us and it is absolutely right that the landscape of Northumberland should change just a little bit to accommodate this memorial to the bravery and sacrifice of Joe Carroll. We are paying tribute to a man who helped give us peace, security and protection.

"There are thousands of other police officers no less heroic because they have lived on. They know that but for quirks of fate it could have been them on that terrible day on April 13, 2006. When Joe Carroll went to work that day, the spirit that keeps this nation afloat went with him."

Mrs Carroll, who was married to her husband for 21 years, thanked Mr Winner for the memorial, and for the commitment and time he gave to the Police Memorial Trust.

She described PC Carroll as a man who loved life and a loyal friend and colleague: "He was my soul mate and I miss him."

Mr Craik said: "Joe Carroll was killed doing the job he loved, in the place he loved, surrounded by the people he loved. He epitomised everything we seek from neighbourhood officers because he was committed to the people and place where he worked."

Politicians' flowers

FLOWERS and personal hand-written notes were sent to yesterday's unveiling ceremony by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Conservative Party leader David Cameron. Mr Brown's message said: "PC Joe Carroll, in gratitude for your service, dedication and courage."

Mr Cameron's read: "With deepest respect and in memory of your public service, bravery and ultimate sacrifice."

PC Carroll had worked in Bellingham for 13 years until his death.